Innovision Research & Technology Plc

Brewster Kaleidoscope LLC

Andrew David White

Marc Adrian Borrett

David Bernard Mapleston

Peter Robert Symons

Colin Philip Brooks

Glen Pitt-Pladdy

A detectable component has a first inductive coupler (L;M) adapted to couple inductively to a second inductive coupler (L) of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus. The first inductive coupler has a resistive component (M) with a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupler of the detection apparatus, the detectable component having a characteristic signature that enables the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

Detectable components and detection apparatus for detecting such components

An electrical device such as a portable communications device, domestic or personal care appliance has a main body adapted to couple to an accessory which may be in the form of a tool attachable to the main body or a housing portion. The accessory carries a passive data storage device having a memory () storing control data for controlling an operation or affecting a function of the device. The passive data storage device is arranged to derive a power supply from the main body when a first coupler carried by the main body is placed in proximity to a second coupler carried by the accessory (). Where the electrical device is a portable communications device, then the accessory may be, for example, a fascia. The coupling between the first and second couplers may be inductive or capacitive.

Electrical devices

A game module has a signal generator for generating a signal for supply to a playing piece when the playing piece is electrically coupled to the games module. The playing piece has a memory for storing data and is arranged to derive a power supply from the signal supplied by the game module by coupling to a user so as to complete an electrical path via the user back to the game module and to communicate data with the game module when power is thereby derived by the power deriving means from the signal provided by the game module.

Growing community of inventors

Wokingham, United Kingdom

Andrew David White